Fire extinguisher



June 22, 1937. l K. HANLEY Er AL 2,084,339

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Jan. 28, 1952 Patented -lune 22, 1937 UNITED STAT 'PATENT OFFICE FIRE EXTINGUISHER Ohio' Appiicanon January 2s, 1932, serial No. 589,346

Claims.

This invention relates to fire extinguishers, and more particularly to fire extinguishers of the dry powder type.

One of the principal objects of the invention 5 is to provide a re extinguisher of this character which is simple and economical in construction, operates with high eciency, and provides for an effective agitation of the dry powder and an even and free flow of the powder on discharge.

l0 Another object of the invention is to provide an invertible fire extinguisher of this character, in which the normal operation thereof secures an effective agitation of the dry powder by both the force of gravity due to inversion and by the discharge of pressure fluid throughout the powder.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an extinguisher of this character in which the gas cartridge is easily and simply mounted together with an ejector as a readily removable unit Within the extinguisher, and in cooperative relationship with a discharge outlet for the cxtinguisher.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and appended claims.

In the drawing, in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views thereof;-

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an extinguisher constructed in accordance with this invention, with parts broken away and in vertical section in order to illustrate the construction thereof;

Fig. 2 is a detail side elevational View of the discharge casing or hopper associated with the discharge outlet of the extinguisher; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a somewhat modified form of extinguisher.

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged detail views of the plungers shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Referring to the drawing, in which are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention,

there is disclosed in Fig. l an extinguisher comprising an outer receptacle or casing I, which may be a sheet metal container of the usual type, having a portion I I with a at face which serves as a base upon which the container sets when not in use. The top end is provided with a casting fastened to the shell as by soldering, having an upstanding externally threaded flange I3 on which is threaded a cover I4 carrying a handle ring I5 adapted to serve as a seat for the extinguisher when inverted, and as a hand support for handling of the extinguisher and the carrying of the same about in upright position. VThe bottom of the extinguisher is closed by a base I 6 soldered to the shell I0, to which is fastened a handle I'I for convenience in the inverting and 5 in carrying about in inverted position.

The casting at the top end of casing Ill isalso provided with an offset shoulder or seat 20 upon which rests the annular ring 2| .of a cage 22 which carries the inner container 23. As shown, 10 the case is provided with spaced depending straps 24 connecting the ring 2| with a hollow cylindrical portion 25 which is interiorly threaded as at Y26 to receive a sleeve member 2l exteriorly threaded at its lower end 28 and receiving there- 15 on a cap 29. Mounted within the sleeve 2l isV the inner container 23, which may be a usual form of pressure fluid cartridge adapted to contain liquid or gaseous CO2, or other inert noncomb-ustible gas such as nitrogen, under pressure. As 20 shown, the cartridge 23 is provided with a lling nipple 30 which communicates with a passage- Way (not shown) opening into the interior of the capsule and through which the pressure fluid is introduced therein, and with a closure valve 3l 25 operated from a hand wheel 32 adapted to seal the neck 33 of the cartridge after filling. The upper end of the cartridge is adapted to bear against an annular flange 34 formed on the cage 22 in order to hold the cartridge in xed posi- 30 tion. Attached to the upper end of the cartridge 23 is a discharge nipple 35 having an orifice or passageway therethrough which is sealed by a thin frangible disc, such as a lead disc 36, held in place in any suitable manner as by nut 3l 35 threadedly received on the discharge nipple.

The discharge nipple 35 and disc 36 are thus mounted in alignment with a movable breaking plunger 40 slidably mounted in the cover I4 in any suitable conventional manner, and provided 40 with an operating head 4I which normally extends above the hand ring I5, and is urged by a spring (not shown) toward this upper or outer position, being limited in its outward movement by a suitable stop (not shown). The cage 22 is 45 also formed with an ejector nozzle 43 which is of gradually decreasing cross sectional area and terminates in a discharge port 44 mounted directly opposite the open end of a hopper 45 connected to the interior wall of casing Il) and to a 50 discharge elbow 46 to which is fastened the usual hose 41 carrying nozzle 48 controlled by valve 49. The upper wall of the ejector 43 is provided with an opening 42 through which the plunger 40 normally extends in close fitting sliding relation- 55 ship to serve as an additional guide for the plunger and to maintain the opening substantially closed against the escape of pressure fluid.

The construction of the hopper 45 is shown in more detail in Fig. 2, and is provided with a top wall 5@ and side walls 5I. hopper opposite the port 44 is open, as is the bottom face 52. The ejector nozzle 43 with port 44 discharges directly into the interior of the hopper in alignment with the discharge port 54 formed in the elbow 45 and opening through the casing I0. The space within ejector nozzle 43 above the cartridge 23 is closed, except for the open port 44, so that the fluid is discharged under pressure and at high velocity directly into the interior of the hopper 45. The cage 22 is open above the ejector nozzle and in between the straps 24, so that upon inversion the powder can fall down about the cage on all sides thereof and thus feed into the hopper from all sides about the ejector nozzle. The lower face of the hopper is open at 522, so that powder can feed directly into this portion of the hopper, and also so that the pressure fluid can pass from the hopper up through the casing Idagitating the powder and creating a pressure head above the same. The casing I0 is adapted to receive the dry extinguishing chemical cr powder, and with the construction shown may be lled substantially up to the level of the hopper 45, if desired. Any suitable dry powder composition may be used, very satisfactory results being secured with a mixture of sodium bicarbonate containing a small proportion kof a stearate compound, such as magnesium stearate,

which contributes to the non-caking qualities of the powder.

In operation, the extinguisher is inverted and bumped down upon. the ground or other support so as to drive the plunger 45 inwardly to break the sealing disc 36. The extinguisher may rest in inverted position upon the hand wheel I5, the plunger being held within the opening through the discharge nipple 35 so as to assist in regulatingand limiting the discharge of pressure gas therefrom. Upon the inversion and Vbumping down oi' the extinguisher, the dry powder within the outer container I is effectively dislodged and agitated by gravity, as it falls about the cage 22 toward the cover I4 which is now lowermost. Any of the well known conventional constructions providing for escape of the compressed gas through or around the plunger may be used. For example, plunger 4E) may have a reduced end 59 provided with a longitudinal channel 60 of conventional form as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In 'addition, the ejector nozzle 43 directs a powerful stream of pressure fluid directly into the hopper 45, forcing powder together with mixed fluid out through the discharge elbow 46 and hose 4l through nozzle 48 which can be directed as desired by the operator. Another portion of the pressure fluid passes up through the contents within the outer casing eifecting an additional powerful agitation, and creating a pressure head above the powder which forces it in a more uniform manner` into the space adjacent the discharge hopper 45, where the ejector action of the pressure fluid which is still escaping from the cartridge in a controlled and limit-ed ow induces the uniform feeding of this powder into the discharge hopper and thence into the elbow and through the hose.

In Fig. 3 a somewhat modified form of extinguisher construction is illustrated having an outer container I0', a cover I4", cage 22', plunger 40,

The front face of theV discharge hopper 45', discharge elbow 46', hose 41 and nozzle 49', constructed similarly to that described above in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. In this form of theinvention, a cartridge 23 having a combined filling and discharge end 55 is provided, which is sealed by a frangible disc 56 mounted in alignment with the breaking plunger 40. The exterior of the lling and discharge nipple 55 is threaded asv indicated at 51, and is received and mounted within a threaded bore of a collar 58 which in turn is threadedly mounted within the cylindrical depending portion 25 of the cage 22. The operation of this form of extinguisher is similar to that previously described.

In recharging the extinguisher, the cover I4 is removed, the inner cage carrying the cartridge withdrawn from the extinguisher, the spent cartridge replaced by a new cartridge, the required amount of dry extinguishing powder introduced into the container I0, the cage with pressure cartridge reinserted, and the .cover .again mounted in place.

It is to be noted that this invention provides a dry powder extinguisher of relatively few worka doubly effective (agitation of the dr-y powder charge within the outer casing, in addition to an ejector action contributing to the even and uniform dischargeof the already dislodged and agitated powder from the extinguisher.

While the forms of apparatus herein describedV constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, `it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein Without departing from the scope of the invention which is deiined .in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An invertible dry powder fire extinguisher of the character described, `comprising in `combination, a fire extinguisher casing having fmeans for Vsupportingsaid extinguisher in upright `position and having a discharge .outlet and a movably mounted plunger adjacent the upper end thereof in upright position of the extinguisher which is substantially lowermost when the extinguisher is inverted to operating position, an inner container assembly comprising a cage :adapted to be mounted within said extinguisher, a pressure fluid cartridge carried by said cage in alignment with said plunger, and an ejector nozzle carried by said cage between said pressure fluid cartridge and said plunger terminating adjacent said discharge outlet and providing a passageway in communication with said` pressure fluidcartridge and discharging into said discharge outlet, said ejector having an opening inthe Wall 'thereo forming a guide for said plunger. i

2. An invertible dry powder fire extinguisher of the character described, comprising in combination, a fire extinguisher casing'having a base for supporting said extinguisher in upright position and having a discharge outlet adjacent the upper end thereof in upright position of the extinguisher and which is substantially lowermost when the extinguisher is inverted, a pressure fluid.

cartridge mounted within said extinguisher, an ejector nozzle therein in direct communication With said pressure fluid cartridge and having a discharge port, and a discharge hopper mounted 'within the confining wall of said casing about said discharge outlet, said discharge hopper having an opening directly facing the discharge port of said ejector, and having an additional opening in the portion thereof which faces upwardly when the extinguisher is inverted adapted to provide for the admittance of powder into said hopper as the extinguisher is inverted and the powder falls within said casing.

3. An invertible dry powder fire extinguisher of the character described, comprising in combination, a fire extinguisher casing having a base for the supporting of the extinguisher in upright position and adapted to receive a charge of dry powder within the lower end of the casing when in suoli upright position, said casing having a discharge outlet opening through the side wall of said casing adjacent the upper end thereof in upright position of the extinguisher and which is substantially lowermost when the extinguisher is inverted, a pressure fluid cartridge mounted within said 'extinguisher and having a discharge portion facing upwardly in upright position of the extinguisher, a curved ejector nozzle therein in direct communication with said discharge portion of the pressure uid cartridge, and having a discharge port directed toward the said side wall of the extinguisher and facing said discharge outlet, and a discharge hopper mounted within the side wall of said casing about said discharge outlet, said hopper having top and side walls extending adjacent to and directly facing the discharge port of said ejector nozzle, the front face of said hopper directly opposite said discharge port of the ejector nozzle being open, and the face of said hopper which faces upwardly when the extinguisher is inverted also being open to receive the direct inflow of powder as it falls within said casing upon inversion of the extinguisher, and to provide for the passage of some of the pressure fluid discharged from said ejector nozzle up through the mass of falling powder within said casing to further agitate the same and provide a pressure head thereabove.

4. In a dry powder re extinguisher oaf the character described comprising a casing adapted to receive a powder charge, said casing having a cage receiving opening therein at the uppermost end in the normal inoperative position of the extinguisher and an adjacently related discharge outlet communicating with the interior of the casing to receive powder falling to that end of the extinguisher upon inversion, a removable cage adapted to be mounted within the cage receiving opening of said extinguisher, a pressure fluid cartridge removably carried by said cage and having a discharge portion, and an ejector nozzle carried by said cage having a wall surrounding the discharge portion of said cartridge so that said cartridge discharges through said ejector nozzle, said cage, said pressure fluid cartridge, and said ejector nozzle being removable and replaceable in said extinguisher as a unit, said nozzle in assembled position of the cage extending close to and cooperating with the discharge outlet for entrainment and discharge ofthe powder therethrough.

5. A dry powder fire extinguisher of the character described comprising an extinguisher casing adapted to contain a quantity of dry fire extinguishing material, said casing being provided with a discharge outlet, and the wall of said casing adjacent said outlet being substantially converging, an inner container for holding a quantity of fluid expelling medium, a hopper for directing the'dry fire extinguishing material toward said discharge, and means for releasing saidrcompressed iiuid expelling medium to cause the discharge of the powdered extinguishing material.

6. A fire extinguisher of the character described comprising an outer container adapted to hold a quantity of dry powdered fire extinguishing material, an inner container adapted to contain a iluid expelling medium under pressure, said outer container being providedwith a discharge outlet, a hopper positioned on the inner wall of said outer container adjacent said discharge outlet for collecting the powdered extinguishing material and directing it toward said discharge outlet, an ejector nozzle through which said fluid expelling medium is adapted to flow upon actuation of the extinguisher, said ejector nozzle providing for the discharge of the pressure medium adjacent said hopper and in a direction toward said discharge outlet.

'7. An invertible dry powder i-lre extinguisher of the character described comprising an outer container adapted to hold a charge of dry powdered re extinguishing material, said outer container being provided with a discharge outlet adjacent one end thereof, a hopper positioned on the interior of said outer container for collecting said fire extinguishing material and directing it toward said discharge outlet, a source of fluid pressure for expelling said re extinguishing material, an ejector nozzle for directing said fluid expelling medium, toward said hopper to thereby entrain the fire extinguishing material with resultant expulsion thereof, said ejector nozzle being spaced from said hopper to provide for the escape of a portion of the fluid expelling medium into the body off the container to loosen and agitate the charge of re extinguishing material.

8. A dry powder fire extinguisher for operation in an inverted position, comprising in combination, an extinguisher casing having a base at one end for the support of the extinguisher in a normal inoperative upright position and a filling opening adjacent the opposite end thereof for introducing a charge of dry powder into the extinguisher, a closure for said filling opening, a plunger mounted in said closure, a pressure fluid cartridge mounted within said casing and having a sealed discharge portion in alignment with said plunger and adjacent the closure end of said extinguisher, said casing having a discharge outlet adjacent the closure end, and means for directing the fluid to be discharged from said ear'- tridge into said casing outlet, said extinguisher being operable by inverting and bumping in the inverted position to drive said plunger inwardly to thereby open said sealed discharge portion to release the pressure fluid and to also dislodge and provide a gravity fall of the powder from one end of the casing to the other to thereby agitate the dry powder within said casing.

9. A dry powder fire extinguisher for operation in an inverted position, comp-rising in combina' tion, an extinguisher casing having a base at one end for the support of the extinguisher in a nor'- mal inoperative upright position and a filling opening adjacent the opposite end thereof for introducing a charge of dry powder into the extinguisher, a closure for said filling opening, said casing having a discharge outlet adjacent the closure end thereof and vwhich is substantially lowermost when the extinguisher is inverted, a pressure fluid cartridge mounted within said casing, means for releasing the iuid from said cartridge and an ejector nozzle mounted within the conning wall of said casing in communication with said pressure uid cartridge and discharging into said discharge outlet, said extinguisher being operable by'inverting and bumping in the inverted position to operate said releasing means and to also dislodge and provide a gravity fall of the powder to thereby agitate the dry powder within the casing.

10. A dry powder fire extinguisher for operation in an inverted. position, comprising in combination, an extinguisher casing having a base at one end for the support of the extinguisher in ,a normal inoperative upright position and a vlling opening adjacent the upper end thereof for introducing a charge. of dry powder into the extinguisher, a closure for said iilling opening, said casing having a discharge outlet adjacent by inversion and bumping in the inverted posi- Y tion to thereby drive said plunger inwardly to open said sealed discharge portion to release the pressure fluid and to also dislodge and provide a gravity fall of the powder fromone end of the casing to the other to thereby agitate the dry powder in the casing, said ejector nozzle then inducing flow of the dislodged and agitated dry powder into said discharge outlet- KEENAN HANLEY. LLOYD BENNETT. 

